Paralympian and world champion in bocce Anna Dedawhich has joined the program “Personal Assistant”the Prime Minister visited her home in the morning Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The Personal Assistant program was a breath of fresh air. For me it’s something unreal, because my mother was suffering for so many years”, said Anna, while as soon as Kyriakos Mitsotakis crossed the threshold of her house she said to him: “I want to show you my medals. There are 14 in total I think. It’s just the international medals.”

“I am very happy that we did what we said. And you have your personal assistant and I’m glad to see already that you have developed a very nice relationship. And I know how important this is to you and to thousands of disabled people who need this help, but not only to you, but especially to your family. For your mother to be able to rest a little more, to feel that there is someone else who loves you and takes care of you and it is a very important relief so that you can do many more things,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The concept of parents is this. So we will “leave” at some point and what will happen to our children? So this, yes, was a breather for us, for the parents, and to be able to prepare a pre-prepared meal at noon. Because we always cooked from the evening because we left in the morning, in the morning for training, and now it’s okay,” said Anna’s mother.

“It is a great pleasure to start the program. We still have work to do, of course, we want to expand it for another 1,000 people in the region. We start with the first 1,000 in Athens. I want to remind you that the pilot program is financed by the Recovery Fund. I say this because it is a very good example of how European money, which we secured for the country, ultimately has a very important social footprint. And they are facing a chronic problem that no one has been able to solve until now”, noted Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “Among the many things we have done for people with disabilities, much more needs to be done,” he added.

Along with her personal assistant, Elena, Anna and the Prime Minister walked around the neighborhood, then headed to Alsos Pagratiou, Anna’s favorite place to visit.

During their discussion it was noted that the program is also an opportunity for people who want to work as personal assistants. “The truth is, it’s a good solution for the new world that doesn’t work,” said Elena. “From my own experience I don’t think it’s something that someone can’t do,” he added.

“I’m glad you’re saying that. Because one of the difficulties we saw in the program was that there is still not that much interest in prospective personal assistants. Apparently interested parties are interested in having a personal assistant, yesterday. That’s why your own experience is so important, but I’m sure that as the candidates get to know the program, they realize that it can be a good opportunity for them, but above all to build a very beautiful relationship, like the one you you are developing, and to do something really good for the people themselves who need a personal assistant, but mainly for their families”, emphasized Kyriakos Mitsotakis, adding that only in the first phase “1,000 personal assistants, therefore 1,000 jobs” are foreseen.

Personal Assistant program identity

The “Personal Assistant” program aims to ensure the independent living of citizens with disabilities and their equal participation in all economic, social, political and cultural activities, without discrimination or exclusion.

The personal assistant, who receives special training as part of the program, supports the beneficiary in his daily life in a personalized way, according to his needs. At the same time, the family of the person with a disability is relieved, which under different circumstances would be fully responsible for his support.

Eligible citizens are evaluated by three-member special committees, which are staffed by social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists or psychologists. Based on the judgment of the evaluators, which takes into account the conditions and characteristics of each candidate, a decision is issued which awards each beneficiary a sum of money and corresponding hours of personal assistance per month, according to their needs. Personal assistants are paid for their work directly by OPECA.

Beneficiaries have the possibility, after passing the evaluation, to look for a trained personal assistant on the special electronic platform where the interested parties are registered.

Currently, the program is in the first phase of pilot implementation, in Attica, where it will cover 1,000 beneficiaries. In the second pilot stage, which will begin in May, it will be extended to the rest of the Regions of the country, covering 1,000 additional beneficiaries. Already 177 citizens have made a decision to join the program, while 50 of them have already found their personal assistants.

The universal implementation of the “Personal Assistant” is planned for 2025, with funding from the NSRF, while the pilot implementation budget has been fully integrated into the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Persons with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 65, regardless of disability category, with a certified disability rate equal to or greater than 67% are eligible to participate in the program.